System to hold multiple beverage containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage containers are difficult to hold multiple containers at once, especially in outdoor or aquatic settings where temperature control is needed, and existing coolers are often bulky and heavy.
Innovation Solution
A soft-sided cooler system with interchangeable exterior layers, multi-layered sidewalls, and a base structure that includes a draining geometry, allowing for easy transport and temperature maintenance of multiple containers, with features like beverage sleeves and a dispensing mechanism for convenient access to beverages without opening the cooler.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional coolers are used to hold multiple beverage containers, then temperature control is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler employs a flexible, collapsible bag structure made of thin, lightweight material that can conform to the volume of contents. This flexible shell design eliminates the need for rigid, bulky insulation walls while maintaining temperature control through the thermal mass of the contents and strategic placement of ice packs, directly resolving the contradiction between temperature control and weight/bulk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces removable ice packs as intermediary thermal elements that can be placed inside the flexible bag. These ice packs serve as the primary cooling mechanism, allowing the bag itself to be lightweight while still achieving effective temperature control. The ice packs mediate between the lightweight flexible structure and the temperature control requirement
2Temperature
If multiple beverage containers are held in a traditional cooler, then temperature maintenance is achieved, but accessibility requires opening the cooler
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested beverage holders or sleeves within the flexible bag that can accommodate multiple containers of varying sizes. These nested structures allow beverages to be organized in layers, with frequently accessed items positioned for easy reach while maintaining the compact, temperature-controlled environment of the bag
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible bag design allows dynamic reconfiguration of the interior space as beverages are removed or added. The collapsible nature enables the bag to adapt its shape and volume, making it easier to access beverages at different depths without requiring the bag to be fully opened, thus maintaining temperature while improving accessibility
3Weight of moving object
If a compact cooler design is used, then portability is improved, but capacity for multiple containers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler design segments the interior into multiple adjustable compartments or beverage holders that can be configured to fit different container sizes. This segmentation allows efficient packing of multiple containers in a compact arrangement, maximizing capacity within a small footprint while keeping the overall bag lightweight and portable
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible bag incorporates universal, adjustable holders that can accommodate various types and sizes of beverage containers (cans, bottles, tumblers). This multi-functional design allows a single compact bag to hold multiple different container configurations, maximizing capacity flexibility without increasing weight or bulk
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy carrying and temperature control of multiple containers, maintaining cold or hot items for extended periods without the bulk and weight of traditional coolers, and allows for easy access to beverages without reopening the cooler.
Implementation Method 1
multi-layered sidewalls
Data Source
AI summary
A system to hold a beverage is disclosed. The system includes a beverage container having a top portion, a bottom portion having a generally polygonal cross-section, rigid exterior and interior walls, a void formed between the rigid exterior wall and the rigid interior wall, and an interior volume at least partially formed by the rigid interior wall. The system also includes a resealable opening, and a removable lid. The system further includes a magnetic component formed into a circumferential pattern at a cross-section of the beverage container. The system may also include a cup having rigid cup exterior and interior walls, a cup void formed between the rigid cup exterior wall and the rigid cup interior wall, and a cup interior volume at least partially formed by the rigid interior wall, where the cup includes a cup magnetic component secured within the cup void.